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Do All Created Things Have An Eternal Soul?

12 January, 2024
Q Please tell me what is the concept of ruh (soul) in Islam. Is it forever (we're told in the Quran that only Allah is immortal)? Is ruh or soul going to enter in jannat/jahannum [Heaven/Hell] or is it the body? Is it also present in animals and plants? I will be really thankful to you. Was-salam.

Answer

Short Answer: Yes. According to the Qur’an, there was a time when we did not exist. But once we have been brought into existence, by Allah’s will, we shall remain in existence for eternity. We are born, we live, we die, and we are raised up again to stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment. After resurrection, there will no longer be death. Either we will be admitted to Paradise by Allah’s mercy and spend eternity there, or we will be cast into the Hell-fire to spend eternity there, or for as long as Allah wishes.


Salam Dear Hina,

Thank you for your question. It is a topic that many of us wonder about.

When we research carefully the issue of life after death, we find that no other religion has as much information to offer as Islam does.

The combination of the Qur’an and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) together provide us with all of the information and guidance we need to live a righteous life and maintain a close personal relationship with Allah, the One and Only Creator of mankind.

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But, knowledge of the nature of the soul is only with Allah, as we read in the Quran what means,

And they ask you concerning the soul. Say: “The soul is one of the things, of which the knowledge is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little. (Quran 17:85)

This verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad when some Jews asked him about the soul.

When they asked him, he kept quiet and did not give them an answer for a while until he received the revelation of this verse.

All Things Have a Soul

Everything that Allah created has a soul.

Some of them fulfill the roles that Allah has set for them and do exactly what they were created to do.

This includes the plant and animal kingdoms, the mountains, seas and oceans, planets, stars, for example, as each of them worships Allah in their own way.

Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, declares the Praises and Glory of Allah. For He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Quran 59:1)

But, they do not have a free will as do humans and the Jinn.

We are told in the Qur’an that Allah offered a trust to the heavens and the earth, but out of fear that they would not be able to handle the responsibilities laid upon them, they declined the offer, while only humanity took up the offer of this free choice.

We did indeed offer the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: But Man undertook it; He was indeed unjust and foolish. (Quran 33:72)

This means that the one who fulfills this responsibility will be rewarded and the one who neglects it will be punished.

Man accepted this despite the fact that he is weak and unjust.

Only those who Allah guides and helps will be able to carry out the responsibilities placed on them.

An Eternal Soul?

With respect to the eternity of the soul, Allah reveals in the Qur’an that there was a time that we did not exist except, of course, in Allah’s infinite knowledge.

Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing — not even mentioned? Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled fluid, in order to try him… (Quran 76:1-2)

Therefore, according to the Qur’an, there was a time when we did not exist.

But once we have been brought into existence, by Allah’s will, we shall remain in existence for eternity.

We are born, we live, we die, and we are raised up again to stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment.

This resurrection will be in body and in spirit, and this is easy for Allah, having earlier created us from nothing.

After judgment has been made by Allah as to who shall enter Paradise and who shall enter the Hell-fire, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tells us:

On the Day of Resurrection, Death will be brought forward in the shape of a black-and-white ram. Then a call maker will call, “O people of Paradise!” Thereupon they will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will say, “Do you know this?” They will say, “Yes, this is Death.” By then, all of them will have seen it. Then it will be announced again, “O people of Hell!” They will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will say, “Do you know this?” They will say, “Yes, this is Death.” And by then, all of them will have seen it. Then it will be slaughtered and the caller will say, “O people of Paradise! Eternity for you and no death; O people of Hell! Eternity for you and no death.” (Al-Bukhari)

So we can see from this hadith that life for us will clearly be eternal.

After resurrection, there will no longer be death.

Either we will be admitted to Paradise by Allah’s mercy and spend eternity there, or we will be cast into the Hell-fire to spend eternity there, or for as long as Allah wishes.

Salam.


(From AboutIslam’s archives)

Read more…

https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/allah-almighty-ephemeral-eternal/

https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/judgment-day-destroyed-work-hard/

https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/do-our-souls-exist-before-our-bodies/

https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/reincarnation-past-lives-islam/

About Waleed Najmeddine
Waleed Ahmed Najmeddine is a Canadian born Muslim and public school administrator. He is an active member of the Muslim community and enjoys educating Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam. He currently holds a Master of Education degree in leadership and school improvement.